The ozone hole over Antarctica was
slightly smaller in 2013 than the average for recent decades, according to data
from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA’s Aura satellite and the
Ozone Monitoring and Profiler Suite (OMPS) on the NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite.
The average size of the hole in September–October 2013 was 21.0 million square
kilometers (8.1 million square miles). The average size since the mid 1990s is
22.5 million square kilometers (8.7 million square miles). The single-day
maximum area reached 24.0 million square kilometers (9.3 million square miles)
on September 16—an area about the size of North America. credit NASA

The area of the ozone hole reached a
maximum of 24.0 million km2 on 16 September according to OMI data from NASA.
This is more than in 2012 and 2010, but less than in 2011. Data from KNMI, based
on GOME-2, show that the ozone hole area averaged over the ten last days of
September was 20.9 million km2. This is more than in 2012 but less than in 2010
and 2011. The ozone mass deficit averaged over the same period was 19.59
megatonnes. This is more than in 2010 and 2012 but less than in 2011. The
results are similar for the average ozone hole area and ozone mass deficit for
the time period from 7 September to 13 October. If one considers the last twenty
ozone holes (1994 until present), fifteen ozone holes have been larger/deeper
than in 2013 and only four have been smaller (2002, 2004, 2010, 2012). The ozone
hole area and ozone mass deficit for the largest 30-day average have also been
calculated. After being displaced towards the Antarctic Peninsula for a long
period, the vortex moved, during the last part of October and first part of
November, towards the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean sectors. A station as far
away from Antarctica as Kerguelen Islands (49°S, 70°E) was under the ozone
hole on 1-3 November, and then again on 6-8 November. The ozone hole passed near
Macquarie Island around 14 November, and although total ozone did not drop as
much as in Kerguelen Islands, one can still see a typical ozone hole signature
in the ozonesonde profiles observed in mid November.-WMO
Antarctic Ozone Bulletin

Graph last updated on 28 Jan, 2014. The size of the ozone hole
is the area on the globe in million square km of ozone column values below 220
DU. Note that the Antarctic continent is about 14 million km², the USA is just
over 9 million km², Italy is about 0.3 million km², and The Netherlands only
0.04 million km².

The 2013 ozone hole is over. The temperature of the lower
ozone layer rose rapidly in a "Spring warming event" in late October
and Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are no longer present within the polar
vortex. The ozone layer temperature dropped below -90°C on occasion during the
late winter. On a few days in early August, in mid and late September new record
minima were set. It was significantly cooler than the long term mean until late
August, and generally remained colder than the long term mean until mid October.
The area with temperatures colder than the PSC formation temperature of -78°C
was around average until mid September, reaching a broad peak of around 25
million square kilometres from mid July to late August. The area dropped below
average in mid September, and declined to near zero by mid October, a little
earlier than average. The Spring Warming pushed temperatures over the Antarctic
Peninsula well above the long term average for the time of year. The 2013 winter
polar vortex is well past its largest and was generally a little larger than the
average over the last decade, reaching a peak of around 33 million square
kilometres in late August. It covered around around 12 million square kilometres
by mid November. According to NOAA SBUV measurements the ozone hole began to
form in mid August and was at its largest at around 21 million square kilometres
from mid to late September. The area of the hole had shrunk to zero by mid
November. The hole was generally larger than in 2012, but smaller than the
average of the last decade. It is an earlier end to the ozone hole than the
average for the last decade. Higher ozone generally surrounds Antarctica from 55°S
to 70°S in a broad ring, and average values cover much of the continent.
Highest values, near 350 DU, are off Enderby Land. Lowest values, around 270 DU,
are off the Pacific coast of Antarctica. The edge of the ozone hole briefly
touched the tip of South America on September 16, October 12 and more
extensively from October 15 to 17. On occasion atmospheric vertical motions
create small areas with ozone substantially below the long term average.
Different satellites give different views of the exact ozone distribution. The
continent covers 14 million sq. km.

The 2013 ozone hole is nearly over. The temperature of the
lower ozone layer is rapidly rising in a "Spring warming event" and
Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are no longer present within the polar vortex.
The ozone layer temperature dropped below -90°C on occasion during the late
winter. On a few days in early August, in mid and late September new record
minima were set. It was significantly cooler than the long term mean until late
August, and generally remained colder than the long term mean until mid October.
The area with temperatures colder than the PSC formation temperature of -78°C
was around average until mid September, reaching a broad peak of around 25
million square kilometres from mid July to late August. The area dropped below
average in mid September, and declined to near zero by mid October, a little
earlier than average. The 2013 winter polar vortex is past its largest and was
generally a little larger than the average over the last decade, reaching a peak
of around 33 million square kilometres in late August. It now covers around
around 21 million square kilometres. According to NOAA SBUV measurements the
ozone hole began to form in mid August and was at its largest at around 21
million square kilometres from mid to late September. It was generally larger
than in 2012, but smaller than the average of the last decade. It is now around
2 million square kilometres in extent. This is similar to 2012, and close to the
minimum over the last decade. Highest ozone values surround Antarctica at about
45 - 60°S in a horse-shoe between India, Australia, South America and Africa,
with highest values near 400 DU. Lowest values, below 220 DU, are Enderby Land.
The edge of the ozone hole briefly touched the tip of South America on September
16, October 12 and more extensively from October 15 to 17. On occasion
atmospheric vertical motions create small areas with ozone substantially below
the long term average. Different satellites give different views of the exact
ozone distribution. The continent covers 14 million sq. km.

The lower ozone layer is rapidly warming and Polar
Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are no longer forming within the polar vortex,
though they can still exist. The 2013 ozone hole is well past its maximum depth
and size. The ozone layer temperature dropped below -90°C on occasion during
the late winter. On a few days in early August, in mid and late September new
record minima were set. It was significantly cooler than the long term mean
until late August, and generally remained colder than the long term mean until
mid October. The area with temperatures colder than the PSC formation
temperature of -78°C was around average until mid September, reaching a broad
peak of around 25 million square kilometres from mid July to late August. The
area dropped below average in mid September, and declined to near zero by mid
October, a little earlier than average. The 2013 winter polar vortex is past its
largest and was generally a little larger than the average over the last decade,
reaching a peak of around 33 million square kilometres in late August. It now
covers around around 21 million square kilometres. According to NOAA SBUV
measurements the ozone hole began to form in mid August and was at its largest
at around 21 million square kilometres from mid to late September. It was
generally larger than in 2012, but smaller than the average of the last decade.
It is now around 9 million square kilometres in extent. This is similar to 2012,
and close to the minimum over the last decade. Highest ozone values surround
Antarctica at about 45 - 60°S in a horse-shoe between Africa, Australia and
South America, with highest values above 420 DU. Lowest values, below 170 DU,
are over Dronning Maud Land. The edge of the ozone hole briefly touched the tip
of South America on September 16, October 12 and more extensively from October
15 to 17. On occasion atmospheric vertical motions create small areas with ozone
substantially below the long term average. Different satellites give different
views of the exact ozone distribution. The continent covers 14 million sq. km.

The lower ozone layer is rapidly warming and Polar
Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are no longer forming within the polar vortex,
though they can still exist. The 2013 ozone hole is well past its maximum depth
and size. The ozone layer temperature dropped below -90°C on occasion during
the late winter. On a few days in early August, in mid and late September new
record minima were set. It was significantly cooler than the long term mean
until late August, and generally remained colder than the long term mean until
mid October. The area with temperatures colder than the PSC formation
temperature of -78°C was around average until mid September, reaching a broad
peak of around 25 million square kilometres from mid July to late August. The
area dropped below average in mid September, and declined to near zero by mid
October, a little earlier than average. The 2013 winter polar vortex is past its
largest and was generally a little larger than the average over the last decade,
reaching a peak of around 33 million square kilometres in late August. . According to NOAA SBUV
measurements the ozone hole began to form in mid August and was at its largest
at around 21 million square kilometres from mid to late September. It was
generally larger than in 2012, but smaller than the average of the last decade.
It is now around 9 million square kilometres in extent. This is similar to 2012,
and close to the minimum over the last decade. Highest ozone values surround
Antarctica at about 45 - 60°S in a horse-shoe between Africa, Australia and
South America, with highest values above 400 DU. Lowest values, below 170 DU,
are over Coates Land. The edge of the ozone hole briefly touched the tip of
South America on September 16, October 12 and more extensively from October 15
to 17. On occasion atmospheric vertical motions create small areas with ozone
substantially below the long term average. Different satellites give different
views of the exact ozone distribution. The continent covers 14 million sq. km.

The area of the annually
recurring Antarctic ozone hole reached its peak at 24.0 million square
kilometers on 16 September according to data from NASA. This is more than in
2012 and 2010, but less than in 2011.

The World Meteorological
Organization’s newest Antarctic Ozone Bulletin said the ozone hole area
averaged over the ten last days of September was 20.9 million km2 (data from the
Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, KMNI). The ozone mass deficit
averaged over the same period was 19.59 megatonnes. This is more than in 2010
and 2012 but less than in 2011.

As the temperatures rise after
the southern hemisphere winter, the ozone depletion rate will slow down. It is
still too early to give a definitive statement about the degree of ozone loss
that will occur in 2013. Existing data indicates that this year’s ozone hole
is larger than in 2012 and possibly also 2010, but smaller than the one of 2011.

The ozone bulletin is based on
observations from the ground, weather balloons and satellites from WMO’s
Global Atmosphere Watch Program and its network of scientific stations in some
of the world’s most inhospitable terrain. Most stations reported clear signs
of ozone depletion.

For example, on 17 September, the
ozone hole extended all the way to the southern tip of the South American
continent and affected inhabited places such as Ushuaia and Río Gallegos, where
Argentinian scientists carry out observations of the stratospheric ozone layer.
Such episodes typically occur a handful of times each September-November.
Especially in November, when the sun is high in the sky, they can lead to a
significant increase in the intensity of solar ultraviolet radiation that hits
the earth's surface.

The meteorological conditions in
the Antarctic stratosphere found during the austral winter (June-August) set the
stage for the annually recurring ozone hole. The last ten days of September is
typically the time period when the ozone hole reaches its maximum extent.

By most criteria, the largest
ozone hole was observed in 2006. An international agreement banning the worst
ozone depleting substances has stemmed the destruction of the ozone layer. However,
severe Antarctic ozone holes are expected to continue during the next couple of
decades.

Antarctic Situation at 2013
October 14

The lower ozone layer is now warming from its winter
minimum temperature, which dropped below -90°C on occasion. It was
significantly cooler than the long term mean until late August, and generally
remains colder than the long term mean. The area with temperatures colder than
-78°C was around average until mid September, when it rapidly dropped, but it
returned to near average later in the month. Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs)
are still forming within the polar vortex, though the area in which they can
form is rapidly shrinking. On a few days in early August, in mid and late
September new record minima were set. The 2013 winter polar vortex is past its
largest and was generally a little larger than the average over the last decade.
According to NOAA SBUV measurements the ozone hole began to form in mid August
and was at its largest at around 21 million square kilometres from mid to late
September. It is now around 15 million square kilometres in extent [The
continent covers 14 million sq. km.]. This is larger than in 2012, but smaller
than the average over the last decade. Highest ozone values surround Antarctica
at about 45 - 60°S in a horse-shoe between South America, Africa and Australia,
with highest values above 400 DU. Lowest values, below 150 DU, are over West
Antarctica. The 2013 ozone hole is past its maximum depth and size. The edge of
the ozone hole briefly touched the tip of South America on September 16. On
occasion atmospheric vertical motions create small areas with ozone
substantially below the long term average. Different satellites give different
views of the exact ozone distribution. [Note that some NOAA data is not
currently being updated]

The lower ozone layer is warming from its winter minimum
temperature, which dropped below -90°C on occasion. It was significantly cooler
than the long term mean until late August, and generally remains colder than the
long term mean. Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are still forming within the
polar vortex. On a few days in early August, in mid and late September new
record minima were set. The 2013 winter polar vortex is just past its largest
and has generally been a little larger than the average over the last decade. It
remains quite stable. According to NOAA SBUV measurements the ozone hole began
to form in mid August and was at its largest at around 21 million square
kilometres from mid to late September. It is now around 17 million square
kilometres in extent [The continent covers 14 million sq. km.]. This is larger
than in 2012, but smaller than the average over the last decade. The area with
temperatures colder than -78°C was around average until mid September, when it
rapidly dropped, but it returned to near average later in the month. Highest
ozone values surround Antarctica at about 45 - 60°S in a horse-shoe between
South America, Africa and Australia, with highest values above 400 DU. Lowest
values, below 150 DU, are over West Antarctica. The 2013 ozone hole is past its
maximum depth. The edge of the ozone hole briefly touched the tip of South
America on September 16. On occasion atmospheric vertical motions create small
areas with ozone substantially below the long term average. Different satellites
give different views of the exact ozone distribution. [Note that some NOAA data
is not currently being updated]

The lower ozone layer is warming from its winter minimum
temperature, which dropped below -90°C on occasion. It was significantly cooler
than the long term mean until late August, and generally remains colder than the
long term mean. Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are still forming within the
polar vortex. On a few days in early August, in mid and late September new
record minima were set. The 2013 winter polar vortex is just past its largest
and has generally been a little larger than the average over the last decade. It
remains quite stable. According to NOAA SBUV measurements the ozone hole began
to form in mid August and was at its largest at around 21 million square
kilometres from mid to late September. It is now around 18 million square
kilometres in extent [The continent covers 14 million sq. km.]. This is larger
than in 2012, but smaller than the average over the last decade. The area with
temperatures colder than -78°C was around average until mid September, when it
rapidly dropped, but has since returned to near average. Highest ozone values
surround Antarctica at about 45 - 60°S in a horse-shoe between South America,
Africa and Australia, with highest values above 420 DU south of the Indian
Ocean. Lowest values, below 150 DU, are broadly over West Antarctica. The 2013
ozone hole is near its maximum depth, though lowest values may still be set over
the next week. The edge of the ozone hole briefly touched the tip of South
America on September 16. On occasion atmospheric vertical motions create small
areas with ozone substantially below the long term average. Different satellites
give different views of the exact ozone distribution.

The lower ozone layer remains near its winter temperature,
but is beginning to warm. It was significantly cooler than the long term mean
until late August. Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are still forming within
the polar vortex. On a few days in early August and again in mid September new
record minima were set. The 2013 winter polar vortex is near its largest and has
generally been a little larger than the average over the last decade. It remains
quite stable. According to NOAA SBUV measurements the ozone hole began to form
in mid August and is now around 20 million square kilometres in extent [The
continent covers 14 million sq. km.]. This is larger than in 2012, but smaller
than the average over the last decade. The area with temperatures colder than
-78°C was around average until mid September, when it rapidly dropped. Highest
ozone values surround Antarctica at about 45 - 60°S in a horse-shoe between
South America, Africa and Australia, with highest values above 430 DU south of
the Indian Ocean. Lowest values, below 150 DU, are broadly over West Antarctica.
The 2013 ozone hole is nearing its maximum depth and size, with lowest values
likely to be set over the next week. The edge of the ozone hole briefly touched
the tip of South America on September 16. On occasion atmospheric vertical
motions create small areas with ozone substantially below the long term average.
Different satellites give different views of the exact ozone distribution.

September 20, 2013-Jonathan Shanklin of The British Antarctic Survey reports
that the 2013 winter polar vortex is near its largest and has generally been a
little larger than the average over the last decade. According to NOAA SBUV
measurements the ozone hole began to form in mid August and is now around
19 million square kilometres in extent .
Roughly the area of the United States, Canada and Mexico combined This is
larger than in 2012.

Size
Comparison Antarctica
-United States

Below
is a table of geographic areas to be used as references in conceptualizing just
how large the ozone hole can get.

The ozone layer is at its winter temperature, and was
significantly cooler than the long term mean until late August. It is beginning
to warm, but Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are still forming within the
polar vortex. On a few days in early August and again in mid September new
record minima were set. The 2013 winter polar vortex is near its largest and has
generally been a little larger than the average over the last decade. It remains
quite stable. According to NOAA SBUV measurements the ozone hole began to form
in mid August and is now around 19 million square kilometres in extent [The
continent covers 14 million sq. km.]. This is larger than in 2012, but smaller
than the average over the last decade. The area with temperatures colder than
-78°C is around average. Highest ozone values surround Antarctica at about 45 -
60°S in a horse-shoe between South America, Africa and Australia, with highest
values above 430 DU south of the Indian Ocean. Lowest values, below 150 DU, are
broadly over the base of the Antarctic Peninsula. The 2013 ozone hole is nearing
its maximum depth and size. On occasion atmospheric vertical motions create
small areas with ozone substantially below the long term average.

The ozone layer is at its winter temperature, and was
significantly cooler than the long term mean until late August. It is beginning
to warm, but Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are still forming. On a few days
in early August and again in mid September new record minima were set. The 2013
winter polar vortex is near its largest and was a little larger than the average
over the last decade until the end of July. It is now around average in size and
remains quite stable, though the top of the ozone layer is beginning to warm.
According to NOAA SBUV measurements the ozone hole began to form in mid August
and is now around 19 million square kilometres in extent [The continent is 14
million sq. km.]. This is larger than in 2012, but smaller than the average over
the last decade. The area with temperatures colder than -78°C is around
average. Highest ozone values surround Antarctica at about 45 - 60°S, with peak
values above 400 DU in a horse-shoe between South America, Africa and Australia.
Lowest values, below 150 DU, are over Coates Land. The 2013 ozone hole is
nearing its maximum depth and size. On occasion atmospheric vertical motions
create small areas with ozone substantially below the long term average.
Different satellites give different views of the exact ozone distribution.

The ozone layer is at its winter temperature, and was
significantly cooler than the long term mean until late August. It is beginning
to warm, but Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are still forming. On a few days
in early August new record minima were set. The 2013 winter polar vortex is near
its largest and was a little larger than the average over the last decade until
the end of July. It is now around average in size and remains quite stable,
though the top of the ozone layer is beginning to warm. Highest ozone values
surround Antarctica at about 45 - 60°S, with peak values above 400 DU between
the continent and Australia. Lowest values, below 200 DU, are over Dronning Maud
Land and the Bellingshausen Sea. The 2013 ozone hole is underway. On occasion
atmospheric vertical motions create small areas with ozone substantially below
the long term average. Different satellites give different views of the exact
ozone distribution.

The ozone layer is at its winter temperature, and was
significantly below the long term mean until late August. Polar Stratospheric
Clouds (PSCs) are forming. On a few days in early August new record minima were
set. The 2013 winter polar vortex is near its largest and was a little larger
than the average over the last decade until the end of July. It is now around
average in size and remains quite stable, though is beginning to warm at the top
of the ozone layer. Highest ozone values above 400 DU surround Antarctica at
about 45 - 60°S and lowest values below 220 DU are over Dronning Maud Land. The
2013 ozone hole is underway. On occasion atmospheric vertical motions create
small areas with ozone substantially below the long term average.

The ozone layer is at its winter temperature, but
significantly below the long term mean, and Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs)
are forming. On a few days in early August new record minimum were set. The 2013
winter polar vortex is growing and was a little larger than the average over the
last decade until the end of July. It is now around average in size. Ozone
distribution is becoming organised, with highest values up to around 400 DU
surrounding Antarctica at about 45 - 60°S and lowest values at around 220 DU
over the continent. The 2013 ozone hole is being created. On occasion
atmospheric vertical motions create small areas with ozone substantially below
the long term average. Different satellites give different views of the exact
ozone distribution.

The ozone layer is at its winter temperature, though a few
degrees below the long term mean, and Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are
forming. The 2013 winter polar vortex is growing and is a little larger than the
average over the last decade. Ozone distribution is beginning to organise, with
highest values up to around 370 DU surrounding Antarctica at about 45 - 60°S
and lowest values at around 220 DU over the continent. The 2013 ozone hole is
beginning to be created. On occasion atmospheric vertical motions create small
areas with ozone substantially below the long term average.

The ozone layer is near its winter temperature, though a
few degrees below the long term mean, and Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are
forming. The 2013 winter polar vortex is growing. Ozone distribution is
beginning to organise, with highest values at around 375 DU surrounding
Antarctica at about 50 - 60°S and lowest values at around 230 DU over the
continent. The 2013 ozone hole is beginning to be created.

The ozone layer is cooling with the 2013 winter polar
vortex forming, and it is cold enough for PSC formation. Ozone distribution is
beginning to organise, with highest values at around 360 DU surrounding
Antarctica at about 50 - 60°S and lowest values at around 260 DU over the
continental margins. The 2013 ozone hole is beginning to be created.

The 2012 ozone hole is long over and the 2012 winter polar
vortex over Antarctica has dissipated. Ozone distribution is rather patchy with
lowest values at around 240 DU over the Weddell Sea and highest values at around
350 DU surrounding Antarctica. The ozone layer is now cooling with the 2013
winter polar vortex forming, and it is cold enough for PSC formation, so the
2013 ozone hole is beginning to be created.

The 2012 ozone hole is long over and the 2012 winter polar
vortex over Antarctica has dissipated. Ozone distribution is rather patchy with
lowest values at around 280 DU and highest values at around 330 DU. The ozone
layer is now cooling with the 2013 winter polar vortex forming, and it is nearly
cold enough for PSC formation. Different satellites give different views of the
exact ozone distribution.

The 2012 ozone hole is over and the 2012 winter polar
vortex over Antarctica has dissipated. Ozone distribution is rather patchy with
lowest values at around 260 DU and highest values at around 340 DU. Values over
the continent are generally near the autumn minimum. The ozone layer is now
cooling and the 2013 winter polar vortex is forming, though it is not yet cold
enough for PSC formation. Different satellites give different views of the exact
ozone distribution.